Point of Grace Online Worship 11.15.20

Sermon Notes –

“Lean In to What You Can Count On!” Encouragements from 1st Thessalonians

… and keep on leaning in to Jesus “more and more and more and more and more”

… in Relentless Dependence!

1 Thessalonians 3-4 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Paul’s prayer is casting vision for the Thessalonians!

That they would lean in to their relationship Jesus resulting in lives of “strong-hearted holiness and overflowing love”!

Let’s talk about leaning in to Jesus more and more for “strong hearted holiness”!

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.

The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Let’s talk about leaning into Jesus more and more for “overflowing love”!

9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,

I get to relentlessly lean into Jesus “more and more” for

strong-hearted holiness and overflowing love!

How would that change the world?

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Go to www.pog.church/live to view or through Facebook or Youtube.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of the week which help dive deeper the way Jesus is personally calling you to “Lean In to What You Can Count On”. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Tue – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Wed – Colossians 3:1-11 Thu – Colossians 3:12-17 Fri – Colossians 3:18-4:6 Sat - Psalm 1

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: “Sermon Resources” from pog.church

The Bible Project has a 7 minute visually graphic summary of 1 Thessalonians that is awesome. Go to https://bibleproject.com/explore/1-thessalonians/

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge